Little-Acorn
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- Jun 20, 2006
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Russian fighters and bombers began attacking targets in Syria this morning. The Russian news agencies claimed they were attacking ISIS targets, but the U.S. immediately pointed out that the Russian air strikes were taking place in cities that had no ISIS presence. They seem more likely to be attacking the rebels that have been resisting Bashir al-Assad's forces.
A Russian general spoke to Pentagon officials and told them that Russia wanted American forces out of the area. It is reported that the American officials said they would not leave.
Then, in an astonishing speech during a conference chaired by Russia this morning, Secretary of State John Kerry conceded that Russia had a legitimate interest in the middle East, and announced that he would welcome Russian forces in Syria, provided they were attacking the right people. This is a startling reversal of Western policy that Russia should be kept out of the Middle East, a policy that started during WWII and has continued unceasingly to the present day.
During the war, the warring powers including Russia, Britain, and the United States had made agreements that they would leave Iran and other middle East countries once hostilities ceased. Once it was over, most powers did leave, but Russia did not, until considerable pressure (including implied use of the new atomic bomb) had been applied against them. The allies had found out the hard way that Russia did not have the best interests of the Middle East at heart, but only Russia's.
For some reason today, the Obama administration has apparently decided to abandon that policy, welcoming Russia to Syria, despite clear indications that Russia is not interested in defeating ISIS, but only supporting the existing regime, contrary to U.S. policy so far.
Hopefully the Obama administration will think better of this huge concession, and reverse themselves, putting heavy pressure on Russia to butt out. But the Obama regime's supine reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and occupation of the Crimea, does not encourage hope in the middle East situation.
Russia launches airstrikes in northern Syria, senior military official says
A Russian general spoke to Pentagon officials and told them that Russia wanted American forces out of the area. It is reported that the American officials said they would not leave.
Then, in an astonishing speech during a conference chaired by Russia this morning, Secretary of State John Kerry conceded that Russia had a legitimate interest in the middle East, and announced that he would welcome Russian forces in Syria, provided they were attacking the right people. This is a startling reversal of Western policy that Russia should be kept out of the Middle East, a policy that started during WWII and has continued unceasingly to the present day.
During the war, the warring powers including Russia, Britain, and the United States had made agreements that they would leave Iran and other middle East countries once hostilities ceased. Once it was over, most powers did leave, but Russia did not, until considerable pressure (including implied use of the new atomic bomb) had been applied against them. The allies had found out the hard way that Russia did not have the best interests of the Middle East at heart, but only Russia's.
For some reason today, the Obama administration has apparently decided to abandon that policy, welcoming Russia to Syria, despite clear indications that Russia is not interested in defeating ISIS, but only supporting the existing regime, contrary to U.S. policy so far.
Hopefully the Obama administration will think better of this huge concession, and reverse themselves, putting heavy pressure on Russia to butt out. But the Obama regime's supine reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and occupation of the Crimea, does not encourage hope in the middle East situation.
Russia launches airstrikes in northern Syria, senior military official says
